Nigerian troops have rescued 33 people who were abducted while traveling in Zamfara state, in the country's northwest, an army statement released Sunday announced.
The military operation was initiated after unidentified gunmen kidnapped the group on Saturday as they traversed the Tsafe area of Zamfara. Army spokesman Aliyu Danja stated that troops engaged the gunmen with effective fire, compelling them to abandon the victims and flee into nearby bushes. The troops then secured and rescued all 33 abducted individuals.
The army is currently working to track down the fleeing gunmen, Danja added.
Zamfara state has experienced a significant increase in killings and abductions in recent months. In June alone, at least 32 people were reported killed in separate attacks within the state.
Nigeria continues to face widespread security challenges. Beyond the conflict in its northwestern and north-central regions, an insurgency in the northeast has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions, according to United Nations figures. President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly pledged to address the escalating crisis, though security issues persist.